Genesis 21:20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.

◄ Genesis 21:20 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.

English Standard Version
And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow.

New American Standard Bible
God was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer.

King James Bible
And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God was with the boy, and he grew; he settled in the wilderness and became an archer.

International Standard Version
God was with the boy as he grew up. He settled in the wilderness and became an expert archer.

American Standard Version
And God was with the lad, and he grew. And he dwelt in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And God was with him: and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became a young man, an archer.

Darby Bible Translation
And God was with the lad, and he grew; and he dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Young's Literal Translation
and God is with the youth, and he groweth, and dwelleth in the wilderness, and is an archer;

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

21:14-21 If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they were justly punished. By abusing privileges, we forfeit them. Those who know not when they are well off, will be made to know the worth of mercies by the want of them. They were brought to distress in the wilderness. It is not said that the provisions were spent, or that Abraham sent them away without money. But the water was spent; and having lost their way, in that hot climate Ishmael was soon overcome with fatigue and thirst. God's readiness to help us when we are in trouble, must not slacken, but quicken our endeavours to help ourselves. The promise concerning her son is repeated, as a reason why Hagar should bestir herself to help him. It should engage our care and pains about children and young people, to consider that we know not what great use God has designed them for, and may make of them. The angel directs her to a present supply. Many who have reason to be comforted, go mourning from day to day, because they do not see the reason they have for comfort. There is a well of water near them in the covenant of grace, but they are not aware of it, till the same God that opened their eyes to see their wound, opens them to see their remedy. Paran was a wild place, fit for a wild man; such as Ishmael. Those who are born after the flesh, take up with the wilderness of this world, while the children of the promise aim at the heavenly Canaan, and cannot be at rest till they are there. Yet God was with the lad; his outward welfare was owing to this.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

20, 21. God was with the lad, &c.—Paran (that is, Arabia), where his posterity has ever dwelt (compare Ge 16:12; also Isa 48:19; 1Pe 1:25).

his mother took him a wife—On a father's death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however young; and as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his mother set about forming a marriage connection for him, it would seem, among her relatives.